Lethe

Object NameVase

Artist Erwin Eisch (German, 1927-2022)

Made FromGlass

Date1980

Place MadeFederal Republic of Germany, Frauenau

TechniqueBlown, engraved

SizeOverall H: 23.1 cm, Diam (max): 13.7 cm

Accession Number80.3.61

Credit LineGift of Harvey K. And Bess Littleton, by exchange

Curatorial Area(s)

Postwar and Contemporary

Exhibitions

Masters of Studio Glass: Erwin Eisch

Not On View

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

One anomaly in this group is Lethe, a colorless vessel with engraved decoration that illustrates Eisch’s complex relationship with glass. Here, Eisch uses transparency as he understands it, which is as blankness and nothingness. In Greek mythology, Lethe is the river of forgetfulness in the Underworld, and also the spirit of oblivion.

Physical Description"Lethe", Vase. Colorless glass; blown, engraved, applied. Cylindrical vase with engraved scene including a bird and a man/bird figure, as well as an engraved poem on the opposite side. The vase sits on three round feet. (The poem was written by Eisch's friend Peter Kobbe.)
Provenance

Source Harvey K. Littleton (American, 1922-2013)

Source Bess Littleton